US20210107781A1 - Beverage Tap Installation - Google Patents
Beverage Tap Installation Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20210107781A1 US20210107781A1 US16/081,663 US201716081663A US2021107781A1 US 20210107781 A1 US20210107781 A1 US 20210107781A1 US 201716081663 A US201716081663 A US 201716081663A US 2021107781 A1 US2021107781 A1 US 2021107781A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- tap
- beverage
- valve
- dispense tube
- installation according
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/0042—Details of specific parts of the dispensers
- B67D1/0081—Dispensing valves
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/0042—Details of specific parts of the dispensers
- B67D1/0081—Dispensing valves
- B67D1/0082—Dispensing valves entirely mechanical
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
- B67D1/14—Reducing valves or control taps
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
- B67D1/14—Reducing valves or control taps
- B67D1/1405—Control taps
- B67D1/1438—Control taps comprising a valve shutter movable in a direction parallel to the valve seat, e.g. sliding or rotating
- B67D1/1444—Control taps comprising a valve shutter movable in a direction parallel to the valve seat, e.g. sliding or rotating the valve shutter being rotated
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/0857—Cooling arrangements
- B67D1/0858—Cooling arrangements using compression systems
- B67D1/0861—Cooling arrangements using compression systems the evaporator acting through an intermediate heat transfer means
- B67D1/0865—Cooling arrangements using compression systems the evaporator acting through an intermediate heat transfer means by circulating a cooling fluid along beverage supply lines, e.g. pythons
- B67D1/0868—Cooling arrangements using compression systems the evaporator acting through an intermediate heat transfer means by circulating a cooling fluid along beverage supply lines, e.g. pythons the cooling fluid being a gas
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
- B67D1/14—Reducing valves or control taps
- B67D1/1405—Control taps
- B67D1/1477—Devices for assisting tap handling, e.g. levers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/0042—Details of specific parts of the dispensers
- B67D1/0081—Dispensing valves
- B67D2001/0087—Dispensing valves being mounted on the dispenser housing
- B67D2001/0089—Dispensing valves being mounted on the dispenser housing operated by lever means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D2210/00—Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
- B67D2210/00028—Constructional details
- B67D2210/00047—Piping
- B67D2210/00049—Pipes
Definitions
- the present invention concerns a beverage tap installation, in particular a beverage tap installation of the type having a removable dispense tube for guiding the beverage from a beverage source to the serving vessel, the dispense tube defining the spout of the beverage tap installation.
- a dispense tube In a beverage tap installation, generally, a dispense tube is provided having a connector which is configured to cooperate with a valve and a flexible tube extending from the connector into a nozzle through which beverage leaves the dispense tube and flows into the serving vessel.
- a connector which is configured to cooperate with a valve and a flexible tube extending from the connector into a nozzle through which beverage leaves the dispense tube and flows into the serving vessel.
- the tap installations have been developed allowing insertion of the dispense tube bottom upwards through a font.
- the connector which is usually the most bulky part of the dispense tube, does not need to be transferred through the font.
- the spout end is manufactured as sleek as possible.
- the part of the font in proximity of the tap head usually comprises an access point at which the spout end of the dispense tube may be caught and further manually introduced in the tap head.
- the tap head is usually configured as a pinch valve allowing pinching the dispense tube in proximity of the spout to open and close the dispense tube.
- Pinch valves usually provides a good control on the open and closing of the dispense tube and hence the flow rate of the beverage, when applied on dispense tubes having a high flexibility.
- the functionality and precision of a pinch valve is still not comparable to other type of valves such as rotary valves or ball valves. Unlike pinch valves however, operating rotary valves or ball valves require a very precise positioning of the valve in view of valve actuating means such as a tap handle to allow correct operation.
- the dispense tube includes a valve disposed in a tap head and a valve actuation mechanism, provided in the tap head, cooperates with the valve for opening and closing the dispense tube, and hence impractical for pub holders or for bartenders.
- the present invention addresses the above mentioned need and concerns a beverage tap installation comprising:
- the beverage tap installation preferably comprises a locking mechanism allowing removably mounting the tap head on the tap housing.
- the beverage tap installation comprises a valve locking mechanism allowing locking the valve in the valve receiving slot.
- FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a beverage tap installation, according to an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the tap beverage installation in FIG. 1 according to line II-II;
- FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show the tap installation of FIG. 1 during several assembly steps
- FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the beverage tap installation, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
- FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10 show the tap installation of FIG. 6 during several assembly steps
- FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a counter with a tap installation according to the present invention provided thereon;
- FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a beverage dispensing unit comprising a beverage tap installation according to the present invention.
- FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a roving beverage unit comprising a beverage tap installation according to the present invention.
- FIG. 1 represents a first embodiment of a beverage tap installation 1 according to the present invention and in this case comprises a tap housing 2 in the form of an elongated tapping column—often called a tap font or tap tower—and a tap head 3 and a flexible dispense tube 4 at least partially extending through the tap housing 2 and the tap head 3 .
- a tap housing 2 in the form of an elongated tapping column—often called a tap font or tap tower—and a tap head 3 and a flexible dispense tube 4 at least partially extending through the tap housing 2 and the tap head 3 .
- the tap housing 2 comprises an inner cavity 5 that in this case extends from a tap housing inlet 6 at a base of the tap housing 2 to a tap housing outlet at an opposed end 7 of the tap housing 2 .
- the tap head 3 defines a liquid channel having a tap head inlet 8 and a tap head outlet 9 and a valve receiving slot 10 defined in said liquid channel.
- the tap head 3 comprises a a valve transmission 23 connected to a valve actuator 11 and a valve actuator operating mechanism 12 , in this case a tap handle.
- the tap installation preferably comprises a locking mechanism allowing removably mounting the tap head 3 on the tap housing 2 .
- the locking mechanism comprises a pair of hooks 13 - 14 provided on the opposed end 7 of the tap housing and a pair of L-shaped members 15 - 16 provided on the tap head at the inlet 8 .
- One of these L-shaped members 15 is provided on a hinging arm 17 allowing varying the distance between the L-shaped members 15 and 16 and biased by a spring 18 in a direction in which the distance between the L-shaped members 15 - 16 is minimized. Hinging of the arm 17 against the spring hence allows moving the L-shaped members apart and lodging these behind the hooks 13 - 14 of the tap housing and thereby locking the tap head 3 on the tap housing 2 .
- the L-shaped members 15 - 16 delimit the tap head inlet 8
- the hooks 13 - 14 delimit the tap housing outlet 7 .
- part of the hooks 13 - 14 extends over or in the tap head inlet 8 when the tap head is mounted on the tap housing 2 .
- the flexible dispense tube 4 comprises a beverage inlet (not shown) and a beverage outlet 20 and a liquid valve 21 .
- the dispense tube comprises a rigid section 22 wherein the liquid valve 21 is provided that cooperates with the valve transmission 23 ( FIG. 2 ) for operating the liquid valve 21 through the valve actuator 11 provided in the tap head 3 .
- the dispense tube further preferably comprises an abutment surface 24 provided in proximity of the liquid valve 21 and preferably provided on the above mentioned rigid section 22 .
- FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 schematically show the introduction of a flexible tube 4 in the tap head 3 and a locking of the tap head 3 to the tap housing 2 in preparation of dispensing a beverage through the tap installation.
- the tap head 3 is removed from the tap housing 2 and a dispense tube 4 is introduced through the inner cavity of the tap housing, with the beverage outlet 20 and the rigid section 22 of the dispense tube 4 perking out of the tap housing outlet 7 .
- the beverage outlet 20 is inserted in the tap head until the beverage outlet extends until at least the tap head outlet and the rigid section 22 is inserted in the valve receiving slot. Preferably at least slightly beyond the tap head outlet such as to form the spout of the tap installation.
- the tap head 3 With the dispense beverage outlet 20 of the dispense tube inserted therein is connected to the tap housing 2 .
- this connection is achieved by placing a first L-shaped member 16 in the corresponding hook 14 of the tap housing, and subsequently hinging the tap head to engage the second L-shaped member 15 with the second hook 13 .
- Dependent on the design of the L-shaped member 15 and the hook 13 it might be necessary to push/pull the hinging arm 17 against the force of the spring 18 to a position wherein the distance between the L-shaped members 15 - 16 is sufficiently large to tilt the second L-shaped member 15 over hook 13 .
- the spring 18 will move the L-shaped members 15 - 16 together and the tap head 3 is locked to the tap housing 2 .
- the first hook 14 contacts the abutment surface 24 of the dispense tube, thereby forcing the liquid valve 21 of the dispense tube 4 in the valve receiving slot 10 to a position (depth) wherein the valve transmission 23 engages with the liquid valve 21 of the dispense tube 4 and correct operation of the valve by means of the handle is ensured.
- the first hook 14 hereby functions as an engaging member forcing and holding the liquid valve 21 in a correct position in the tap head.
- the first hook 14 and abutment surface 24 hereby interact independent of the valve and are separate from the valve such that the positioning of the valve in the tap head does not affect further operation of the liquid valve by the handle 12 .
- the abutment surface 24 and the force applied thereon by the first hook 14 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the dispense tube.
- the dispense tube 4 In order to replace the dispense tube 4 , it suffices to remove the tap head 3 from the tap housing 3 , whereby the first hook 14 disengages the abutment surface 24 of the dispense tube 4 and the tap head inlet becomes accessible. Once removed, the dispense tube 4 can easily be removed from the tap head 3 by pulling it out. Subsequently the dispense tube can be removed from the tap housing and replaced by a new one.
- FIG. 6 shows an alternative tap installation according to the present invention, wherein the engaging member is a shoulder portion 25 engaging the abutment surface 24 of the dispense tube 4 , provided on a hinging arm 26 mounted in the tap housing and extending through the tap housing outlet 7 into the tap head receiving slot for engaging the abutment surface.
- the engaging member is a shoulder portion 25 engaging the abutment surface 24 of the dispense tube 4 , provided on a hinging arm 26 mounted in the tap housing and extending through the tap housing outlet 7 into the tap head receiving slot for engaging the abutment surface.
- this embodiment in FIG. 6 provides for a mechanism ensuring correct positioning of the valve in the valve receiving slot during attachment of the tap head to the tap housing and without any specific action of a user except for connecting the tap head to the tap housing and/or inserting the dispense tube in the tap head 3 .
- the tap installation according to the invention offers a user friendly operation.
- FIGS. 7 to 10 schematically illustrate the assembly of the tap installation of FIG. 6 , wherein, contrary to the assembly of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 , the dispense tube 4 can be inserted after mounting the tap head 3 on the tap housing 2 .
- the mounting of the tap head to the tap housing is essentially similar to the mounting described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 and involves the locking mechanism with the pair of hooks 13 - 14 on the tap housing interacting with the pair of L-shaped members 15 - 16 of the tap head 3 ( FIG. 8 ).
- the dispense tube 4 can be inserted with the beverage outlet into the tap head (via the tap head inlet 8 ).
- the tap head inlet 8 is aligned with the tap housing outlet 7 for swift introduction of the dispense tube 4 .
- the rigid section 22 of the dispense tube 4 engages with a portion of the hinging arm 26 , thereby rotating the hinging arm such that the shoulder portion 25 of the hinging arm 26 engages with the abutment surface 24 of the dispense tube 4 , thereby blocking the dispense tube 4 in a correct position in the tap head 3 .
- FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 show a tap installation of the present invention in several arrangements in view of a beverage source.
- FIG. 11 shows a tap installation according to the present invention mounted on top of a counter and with a beverage source located distant from the tap installation.
- a beverage source located distant from the tap installation.
- Such setup is convenient when the beverage source is relatively large, eg a 20 to 50 liter keg.
- FIG. 12 shows beverage dispensing unit comprising a beverage tap installation according to the present invention and comprising a beverage source receiving portion 27 , such as a refrigerated space wherein a keg can be placed.
- a beverage source receiving portion 27 such as a refrigerated space wherein a keg can be placed.
- the dispense tube 4 of the beverage tap installation is coupled directly to an outlet of the beverage keg, for example by means of a keg connector with beverage valve 28 at the beverage inlet of the dispense tube 4 .
- Such setup is convenient for medium to small size kegs of eg. 4 to 20 liters.
- FIG. 13 shows a roving beverage dispensing unit comprising a beverage tap installation according to the present invention and comprising a beverage source receiving portion 27 ′, such as a refrigerated space wherein a keg can be placed.
- a beverage source receiving portion 27 ′ such as a refrigerated space wherein a keg can be placed.
- the dispense tube 4 of the beverage tap installation is coupled directly to an outlet of the beverage keg, for example by means of a keg connector with beverage valve 28 at the beverage inlet of the dispense tube 4 .
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention concerns a beverage tap installation, in particular a beverage tap installation of the type having a removable dispense tube for guiding the beverage from a beverage source to the serving vessel, the dispense tube defining the spout of the beverage tap installation.
- In a beverage tap installation, generally, a dispense tube is provided having a connector which is configured to cooperate with a valve and a flexible tube extending from the connector into a nozzle through which beverage leaves the dispense tube and flows into the serving vessel. For hygiene reasons, it has been known for a while to use disposable dispense tubes in beverage tap installations to prevent the beverage from contacting any hardware of the installation with exception of the beverage dispense tube during transfer from the beverage source to the vessel wherein the beverage is served.
- In order to replace the dispense tube, the tap installations have been developed allowing insertion of the dispense tube bottom upwards through a font. In that case, the connector, which is usually the most bulky part of the dispense tube, does not need to be transferred through the font. In order to facilitate the transfer of the spout end of the dispense tube through the font, the spout end is manufactured as sleek as possible. The part of the font in proximity of the tap head usually comprises an access point at which the spout end of the dispense tube may be caught and further manually introduced in the tap head.
- In such installations, the tap head is usually configured as a pinch valve allowing pinching the dispense tube in proximity of the spout to open and close the dispense tube. Pinch valves usually provides a good control on the open and closing of the dispense tube and hence the flow rate of the beverage, when applied on dispense tubes having a high flexibility. However, the functionality and precision of a pinch valve is still not comparable to other type of valves such as rotary valves or ball valves. Unlike pinch valves however, operating rotary valves or ball valves require a very precise positioning of the valve in view of valve actuating means such as a tap handle to allow correct operation.
- So far it has been proven difficult to ensure a correct positioning of a dispense tube in a beverage tap installation, when the dispense tube includes a valve disposed in a tap head and a valve actuation mechanism, provided in the tap head, cooperates with the valve for opening and closing the dispense tube, and hence impractical for pub holders or for bartenders.
- Therefore, there is a need for beverage tap installations with valves which provide precise control over flow of the beverage and further allow for easy replacement of the dispense tube.
- The present invention addresses the above mentioned need and concerns a beverage tap installation comprising:
-
- a tap housing defining an inner cavity;
- a tap head defining a liquid channel having an inlet and an outlet and a valve receiving slot defined in said liquid channel, the tap head comprising a valve actuator and a valve actuator operating mechanism;
- a removable flexible dispense tube having a beverage inlet and a beverage outlet, characterized in that the flexible dispense tube comprises a liquid valve lodged in the valve receiving slot and cooperates with the valve actuator of the tap head.
- The beverage tap installation preferably comprises a locking mechanism allowing removably mounting the tap head on the tap housing.
- According to a preferred embodiment, the beverage tap installation comprises a valve locking mechanism allowing locking the valve in the valve receiving slot.
-
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a beverage tap installation, according to an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the tap beverage installation inFIG. 1 according to line II-II; -
FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show the tap installation ofFIG. 1 during several assembly steps; -
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the beverage tap installation, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; -
FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10 show the tap installation ofFIG. 6 during several assembly steps; -
FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a counter with a tap installation according to the present invention provided thereon; -
FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a beverage dispensing unit comprising a beverage tap installation according to the present invention; -
FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a roving beverage unit comprising a beverage tap installation according to the present invention. -
FIG. 1 represents a first embodiment of abeverage tap installation 1 according to the present invention and in this case comprises atap housing 2 in the form of an elongated tapping column—often called a tap font or tap tower—and atap head 3 and aflexible dispense tube 4 at least partially extending through thetap housing 2 and thetap head 3. - The
tap housing 2 comprises aninner cavity 5 that in this case extends from atap housing inlet 6 at a base of thetap housing 2 to a tap housing outlet at anopposed end 7 of thetap housing 2. - The
tap head 3 defines a liquid channel having atap head inlet 8 and atap head outlet 9 and avalve receiving slot 10 defined in said liquid channel. Thetap head 3 comprisesa a valve transmission 23 connected to avalve actuator 11 and a valveactuator operating mechanism 12, in this case a tap handle. - As depicted in
FIG. 1 , the tap installation preferably comprises a locking mechanism allowing removably mounting thetap head 3 on thetap housing 2. In this case the locking mechanism comprises a pair of hooks 13-14 provided on theopposed end 7 of the tap housing and a pair of L-shaped members 15-16 provided on the tap head at theinlet 8. One of these L-shaped members 15, is provided on ahinging arm 17 allowing varying the distance between the L-shaped members spring 18 in a direction in which the distance between the L-shaped members 15-16 is minimized. Hinging of thearm 17 against the spring hence allows moving the L-shaped members apart and lodging these behind the hooks 13-14 of the tap housing and thereby locking thetap head 3 on thetap housing 2. - In this case the L-shaped members 15-16 delimit the
tap head inlet 8, while the hooks 13-14 delimit thetap housing outlet 7. As the distance between the hooks 13-14 is smaller than the distance between the L-shaped members 15-16 of the tap head, part of the hooks 13-14 extends over or in thetap head inlet 8 when the tap head is mounted on thetap housing 2. - According to the present invention, the
flexible dispense tube 4 comprises a beverage inlet (not shown) and abeverage outlet 20 and aliquid valve 21. Preferably, and as represented inFIG. 1 , the dispense tube comprises arigid section 22 wherein theliquid valve 21 is provided that cooperates with the valve transmission 23 (FIG. 2 ) for operating theliquid valve 21 through thevalve actuator 11 provided in thetap head 3. - The dispense tube further preferably comprises an
abutment surface 24 provided in proximity of theliquid valve 21 and preferably provided on the above mentionedrigid section 22. -
FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 schematically show the introduction of aflexible tube 4 in thetap head 3 and a locking of thetap head 3 to thetap housing 2 in preparation of dispensing a beverage through the tap installation. - In
FIG. 3 , thetap head 3 is removed from thetap housing 2 and adispense tube 4 is introduced through the inner cavity of the tap housing, with thebeverage outlet 20 and therigid section 22 of thedispense tube 4 perking out of thetap housing outlet 7. - In order to assemble the
tap installation 1, thebeverage outlet 20 is inserted in the tap head until the beverage outlet extends until at least the tap head outlet and therigid section 22 is inserted in the valve receiving slot. Preferably at least slightly beyond the tap head outlet such as to form the spout of the tap installation. - Next the
tap head 3, with thedispense beverage outlet 20 of the dispense tube inserted therein is connected to thetap housing 2. As depicted inFIGS. 4 and 5 this connection is achieved by placing a first L-shaped member 16 in thecorresponding hook 14 of the tap housing, and subsequently hinging the tap head to engage the second L-shaped member 15 with thesecond hook 13. Dependent on the design of the L-shaped member 15 and thehook 13 it might be necessary to push/pull the hingingarm 17 against the force of thespring 18 to a position wherein the distance between the L-shaped members 15-16 is sufficiently large to tilt the second L-shaped member 15 overhook 13. By subsequently releasing thehinging arm 17, thespring 18 will move the L-shaped members 15-16 together and thetap head 3 is locked to thetap housing 2. As depicted inFIG. 4 , during connecting the tap head to the tap housing, thefirst hook 14 contacts theabutment surface 24 of the dispense tube, thereby forcing theliquid valve 21 of thedispense tube 4 in thevalve receiving slot 10 to a position (depth) wherein thevalve transmission 23 engages with theliquid valve 21 of thedispense tube 4 and correct operation of the valve by means of the handle is ensured. Thefirst hook 14 hereby functions as an engaging member forcing and holding theliquid valve 21 in a correct position in the tap head. - The
first hook 14 andabutment surface 24 hereby interact independent of the valve and are separate from the valve such that the positioning of the valve in the tap head does not affect further operation of the liquid valve by thehandle 12. In order not to squeeze the dispense tube during locking and holding the liquid valve in place in the tap head, it is preferred that theabutment surface 24 and the force applied thereon by thefirst hook 14 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the dispense tube. - In order to replace the
dispense tube 4, it suffices to remove thetap head 3 from thetap housing 3, whereby thefirst hook 14 disengages theabutment surface 24 of thedispense tube 4 and the tap head inlet becomes accessible. Once removed, thedispense tube 4 can easily be removed from thetap head 3 by pulling it out. Subsequently the dispense tube can be removed from the tap housing and replaced by a new one. -
FIG. 6 shows an alternative tap installation according to the present invention, wherein the engaging member is ashoulder portion 25 engaging theabutment surface 24 of thedispense tube 4, provided on a hingingarm 26 mounted in the tap housing and extending through thetap housing outlet 7 into the tap head receiving slot for engaging the abutment surface. - As with the embodiment described with reference to
FIG. 1 , this embodiment inFIG. 6 provides for a mechanism ensuring correct positioning of the valve in the valve receiving slot during attachment of the tap head to the tap housing and without any specific action of a user except for connecting the tap head to the tap housing and/or inserting the dispense tube in thetap head 3. As such the tap installation according to the invention offers a user friendly operation. -
FIGS. 7 to 10 , schematically illustrate the assembly of the tap installation ofFIG. 6 , wherein, contrary to the assembly of the embodiment depicted inFIG. 1 , thedispense tube 4 can be inserted after mounting thetap head 3 on thetap housing 2. The mounting of the tap head to the tap housing is essentially similar to the mounting described above with reference toFIGS. 1 to 5 and involves the locking mechanism with the pair of hooks 13-14 on the tap housing interacting with the pair of L-shaped members 15-16 of the tap head 3 (FIG. 8 ). Once the tap head is mounted on the tap housing, the dispensetube 4 can be inserted with the beverage outlet into the tap head (via the tap head inlet 8). In this case thetap head inlet 8 is aligned with thetap housing outlet 7 for swift introduction of the dispensetube 4. As illustrated inFIG. 10 , therigid section 22 of the dispensetube 4 engages with a portion of thehinging arm 26, thereby rotating the hinging arm such that theshoulder portion 25 of thehinging arm 26 engages with theabutment surface 24 of the dispensetube 4, thereby blocking the dispensetube 4 in a correct position in thetap head 3. -
FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 show a tap installation of the present invention in several arrangements in view of a beverage source. -
FIG. 11 shows a tap installation according to the present invention mounted on top of a counter and with a beverage source located distant from the tap installation. Such setup is convenient when the beverage source is relatively large, eg a 20 to 50 liter keg. -
FIG. 12 shows beverage dispensing unit comprising a beverage tap installation according to the present invention and comprising a beveragesource receiving portion 27, such as a refrigerated space wherein a keg can be placed. In this case it is preferred that the dispensetube 4 of the beverage tap installation is coupled directly to an outlet of the beverage keg, for example by means of a keg connector withbeverage valve 28 at the beverage inlet of the dispensetube 4. Such setup is convenient for medium to small size kegs of eg. 4 to 20 liters. -
FIG. 13 shows a roving beverage dispensing unit comprising a beverage tap installation according to the present invention and comprising a beveragesource receiving portion 27′, such as a refrigerated space wherein a keg can be placed. In this case it is preferred that the dispensetube 4 of the beverage tap installation is coupled directly to an outlet of the beverage keg, for example by means of a keg connector withbeverage valve 28 at the beverage inlet of the dispensetube 4.
Claims (19)
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP16158257 | 2016-03-02 | ||
EP16158257.2A EP3214036A1 (en) | 2016-03-02 | 2016-03-02 | Beverage tap with removable tube and valve |
EP16158257.2 | 2016-03-02 | ||
PCT/EP2017/054931 WO2017149085A1 (en) | 2016-03-02 | 2017-03-02 | Beverage tap installation |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20210107781A1 true US20210107781A1 (en) | 2021-04-15 |
US11198602B2 US11198602B2 (en) | 2021-12-14 |
Family
ID=55484855
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/081,663 Active 2037-06-01 US11198602B2 (en) | 2016-03-02 | 2017-03-02 | Beverage tap installation |
Country Status (13)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US11198602B2 (en) |
EP (2) | EP3214036A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP6841840B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR102372965B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN109153558B (en) |
AR (1) | AR107771A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2017228028A1 (en) |
BR (1) | BR112018067544B1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA3016115A1 (en) |
DK (1) | DK3423396T3 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2784960T3 (en) |
RU (1) | RU2018132845A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2017149085A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20220162053A1 (en) * | 2015-04-06 | 2022-05-26 | Steven P. Keeling | Beverage Dispensing System |
EP4234479A1 (en) * | 2022-02-25 | 2023-08-30 | Carlsberg Breweries A/S | Exchangeable applicator for inserting a flexible line and a dispensing valve in a beverage tapping head |
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-
2016
- 2016-03-02 EP EP16158257.2A patent/EP3214036A1/en not_active Withdrawn
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2017
- 2017-03-02 BR BR112018067544-0A patent/BR112018067544B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2017-03-02 WO PCT/EP2017/054931 patent/WO2017149085A1/en active Application Filing
- 2017-03-02 CN CN201780013896.9A patent/CN109153558B/en active Active
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- 2017-03-02 ES ES17707083T patent/ES2784960T3/en active Active
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- 2017-03-02 KR KR1020187024468A patent/KR102372965B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2017-03-02 AU AU2017228028A patent/AU2017228028A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2017-03-02 RU RU2018132845A patent/RU2018132845A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2017-03-02 DK DK17707083.6T patent/DK3423396T3/en active
Cited By (4)
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US20220162053A1 (en) * | 2015-04-06 | 2022-05-26 | Steven P. Keeling | Beverage Dispensing System |
US11873204B2 (en) * | 2015-04-06 | 2024-01-16 | Steven P. Keeling | Beverage dispensing system |
EP4234479A1 (en) * | 2022-02-25 | 2023-08-30 | Carlsberg Breweries A/S | Exchangeable applicator for inserting a flexible line and a dispensing valve in a beverage tapping head |
WO2023161395A1 (en) * | 2022-02-25 | 2023-08-31 | Carlsberg Breweries A/S | Exchangeable applicator for inserting a flexible line and a dispensing valve in a beverage tapping head |
Also Published As
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BR112018067544B1 (en) | 2023-03-21 |
ES2784960T3 (en) | 2020-10-02 |
CN109153558A (en) | 2019-01-04 |
AR107771A1 (en) | 2018-05-30 |
DK3423396T3 (en) | 2020-03-16 |
EP3423396A1 (en) | 2019-01-09 |
US11198602B2 (en) | 2021-12-14 |
CN109153558B (en) | 2020-06-19 |
AU2017228028A1 (en) | 2018-08-16 |
KR20180129772A (en) | 2018-12-05 |
JP6841840B2 (en) | 2021-03-10 |
KR102372965B1 (en) | 2022-03-10 |
WO2017149085A1 (en) | 2017-09-08 |
JP2019507070A (en) | 2019-03-14 |
EP3423396B1 (en) | 2019-12-18 |
CA3016115A1 (en) | 2017-09-08 |
RU2018132845A (en) | 2020-04-02 |
RU2018132845A3 (en) | 2020-04-02 |
BR112018067544A2 (en) | 2019-01-08 |
EP3214036A1 (en) | 2017-09-06 |
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